Common sense helps us make decisions that feel right and maintain our comfort and security at work. But is it enough to adapt to constant change? In the opening session of Tomorrow Redefined, Vasil Petrov will explain why we need to build on our notion of common sense in order to become indispensable professionals who create successful companies.
Embracing the Future of Excellence: Comparing my notes on expectations of the leaders enabling the transformation
As we stand on the brink of tomorrow, it’s clear that the future will be defined by those who can balance innovation with practicality, vision with execution, and technology with humanity.
Doing something worthwhile has never been easy. Remind yourself and yours, transformation is not a destination; it’s a journey. It’s about continuous learning, adaptation, and growth.
The road ahead is challenging, but it’s also incredibly exciting. It calls for leaders who can inspire, innovate, and implement. It demands teams that are agile, diverse, and forward-thinking. And it requires a mindset that is both bold in its aspirations and grounded in its approach.
Healthcare is and will remain one of the most important aspects of our lives. The current focus is not just on living longer, but on living healthier. Are we doing enough? Are we getting enough from healthcare providers? In this keynote, you will learn about the challenges we face and how lean principles and modern technologies can help us achieve the most desired outcome for patients — helping them recover faster.
Why does Lean culture become even more important for sustainable growth in changing and dynamic conditions
Panel discussion
Tommy Ver Elst
Elena Drecheva
Dimitar Karaivanov
Maria Topchiyska
TBA
The subscription model in SaaS is breaking down, as outcome-based pricing gains momentum, interfaces disappear, prototyping becomes instantaneous, and the “super-niche” — deep domain expertise — becomes a key competitive advantage. AI-driven automation works excellently where the cost of error is low, which makes the new strategic question how to minimize that cost even in critical processes. No simulation can replace the intuition of an expert with decades of experience, so the key is to capture their knowledge and embed it into AI systems. This is precisely how deep domain expertise unlocks the next wave of automation and value in complex processes.
In manufacturing, operational excellence has always been the backbone of efficiency and competitiveness. Now, with digitalization, we have the opportunity to take it to the next level.
This session will explore how technology, data governance, digital ecosystems, and smart products are transforming production systems. From smart MES and real-time analytics to AI-driven decision-making and digital ecosystems, we’ll discuss how digitalization can not just optimize processes but redefine the way we work in the industry, revolutionizing our production systems.
Join me to discover how Digital Operational Excellence integrates cutting-edge technology with manufacturing best practices to drive agility, performance, and sustainable growth.
In an era of the fastest technological revolution, transformation is not just an option but a key necessity for maintaining the competitiveness of businesses and regions.
How can we ensure that our organizations not only survive but thrive during this turbulent period, and what role do we play in shaping tomorrow?
How is Melexis redefining the future of its manufacturing through the strategic integration of Lean principles and the harnessing of AI? What are the key leadership skills needed to navigate this transformation, and what practical examples can we start applying for AI-supported Lean solutions?
These are some of the questions we will address in the session Lean Transformation: Entering the AI Era.
In this session we will explore how Generative AI (GenAI) is revolutionizing lean practices across industries – from manufacturing to healthcare, finance to logistics. AI-powered solutions are transforming how organizations identify inefficiencies, accelerate waste elimination, and optimize workflows in real-time. By enhancing traditional continuous improvement methods, GenAI is creating more dynamic and efficient lean environments. We will review how this technology is reshaping business operations and driving the future of AI-driven continuous improvement.
Join this session to discover how Festo cultivates true leadership, as shared by Kalin Dobrev, Managing Director of Festo Bulgaria. Starting his journey with the company right after finishing the compulsory military service, Kalin quickly recognized that lean thinking begins with developing people—then refining processes, and ultimately creating exceptional products. This mindset has played a key role in Festo’s success. During the session, Kalin will share insights and lessons from his 20+ years of experience. You’ll walk away with practical takeaways you can apply immediately.
TBA
Drawing on the experience accumulated during UniCredit Bulbank’s transformation, Tsvetanka Mintcheva will present five recommendations for optimizing processes and thereby increasing organizational effectiveness. Each principle will be illustrated with a concrete case study from the bank and the measurable results achieved in improving all of our key performance indicators.
Process and leadership in aviation
Mario Bakalov, a commercial airline pilot with 22 years of experience, will share insights into how aviation achieves an exceptional balance between maximum safety and high operational efficiency. He will demonstrate how standardized processes, clear procedures, strong leadership, and precise teamwork enable hundreds of professionals to work seamlessly together to execute each flight — down to the minute. Drawing from real-world examples, his presentation will illustrate how the principles of Operational Excellence and Lean are applied daily in one of the most demanding industries in the world.
Closing
Cocktail
Networking, craft cocktails
Gala Dinner
Gala Dinner with specially selected premium food, show program and performers on-stage, Operational Excellence Awards ceremony